In our archives / scrap book, I discovered a letter dated January 1974. The letter, which was a briefing document for an anticipated 'Gardeners Question Time' to be held at our club, stated:
Our club came into being in February 1965 as a result of a notice on a tree asking people, interested in gardening, to come along to a meeting (in this area we find this method of communication better than smoke signals).
14 people turned up and a committee was formed on the volunteer basis of you, you and you. We now have a membership of roughly 270 and the reputation of being the most alive club in the area.
Our club came into being in February 1965 as a result of a notice on a tree asking people, interested in gardening, to come along to a meeting (in this area we find this method of communication better than smoke signals).
14 people turned up and a committee was formed on the volunteer basis of you, you and you. We now have a membership of roughly 270 and the reputation of being the most alive club in the area.
2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025
Winners at the Autumn 2025 Show.
left to right back row
Dick (Chairman) & Stuart Slocombe
Middle row
Chris Spinks, Ros Slocombe, Gwen Harvey, Sylvia Hawes, Macey Temperley, Karen Atree, Linda Garrett, Lesley Hicks
Front
Arabella Bailey
left to right back row
Dick (Chairman) & Stuart Slocombe
Middle row
Chris Spinks, Ros Slocombe, Gwen Harvey, Sylvia Hawes, Macey Temperley, Karen Atree, Linda Garrett, Lesley Hicks
Front
Arabella Bailey
At the spring show of 2025, we celebrated the club's 60th anniversary. The theme of the day was 'The Sixties'.
The cake did not last very long. It was cut and served with tea/coffee to the visitors of the show.
The cake did not last very long. It was cut and served with tea/coffee to the visitors of the show.
Some of the Spring Show winners from left to right are:
Linda Garrett, Macey Temperley, Stuart Slocombe, Lesley Hicks, Sylvia Hawes,
Claire Temperley and Karen Atree
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Lesley Hicks and her prize winning dahlias
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Jill Gillott with the
Best ‘Chocolate Cake’ entry |
Ros Slocombe with her Gladiola
Linda Swales, winner of
‘Best Vase of Mixed Flowers’ |
Stuart Slocombe with a first in the dahlia section
Chairman Dick won a first prize
with his plum tomatoes |
Terry Miller could just about lift his
squash exhibit 
Chris Spinks accepting her certificate for Best
Fuchsia exhibit 
Hermione Lewis won the
Best Fruit exhibit 
Alan Taylor won the
Most points in the Vegetable classes 
Great family effort at the Spring Show from
Claire Temperley, Macey and Karen Attree 
Terry Miller swept the board in the daffodil section.
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Martin Dawe collecting his sons certificate for
Best in the Domestic section 
Ann Blakeman with her certificate for
‘Best Novice Floral Art’ 
Macey Temperley winner of the
Best Rose exhibit 
Vanessa Curtis who won a certificate for the
Most points in the Domestic Section 
A year when most daffs had gone over, the members still managed to find some great entries.
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Lesley Hicks collecting her certificate for Best Domestic exhibit in the Spring Show.
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Lovely floral exhibit
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'Joys of Spring' exhibit
Margaret Wade receiving her certificate for 'Best Exhibit for Flowering Shrubs/Trees'
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The Orchids exhibits
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Congratulations to the two Show Officers for running a very successful Spring Show.
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Prize winning daffodils
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One of the Show benches at the Spring Show.
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A hot competition between entrants in the tomato section.
The dahlia classes were very well supported.
Freya and Harvey Edwards winning prizes each for their entries.
How did Dave Spinks come second to the Chairman Dick with these two beautiful cucumbers?
Christopher Curtis practicing to become a future wine judge. Has he got the technique right?
Marcey Temple in the middle. She stunned everyone by entering the flower arranging for the first time ever and got a first.
Over 280 entries filled the hall.
Kriss Turner with a first. You can see what she was up against near her elbow.
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Peter Turner enjoying his job as the judge for fruit liqueurs.
A wonderful display of flowers.
Arabelle Bailey and Linda Garrett. Arabelle received a first prize for this vegetable animal.
Plant sales going well.
Ann Blakeman & Vanessa Curtis comparing their trifle entries. Vanessa won with a first prize.
Ros Slocombe with the winning fuchsia florets. Chris Spinks looks on and congratulates her.
Susan Darlow with her floral arrangement.
Beautiful blooms.
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2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021
The hut had never been painted so 2021 was a good year to get the job done.
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The roof was the worst job. We picked a day that ended up being red hot. We couldn't touch the metal but the paint went on well.
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2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020
Dick Hawes (Chairman) awarding Stuart Slocomb the Banksian Medal for all his hard work for the club during Covid-19
Peter Radband, winner of the Annual Table Competition
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Sylvia Hawes, winner of the 'Highest average' in the Annual Table Competition
Lynn Potts was presented with a gift following retirement from the committee where she managed publicity for the club.
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2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019
Winner of the Ladies 2019
XMAS Shuffleboard 
Jayne Male - Winner of the 2019
XMAS Beetle Drive |
John Kerr (left) winner of the Gentlemens 2019
XMAS Shuffleboard |
Below are pictures of visitors and winners at the Summer Show 2019
Two visitors admire the blooms on display.
Hermione Lewis received an Award of Merit for having the best exhibit of fruit.
Kerry Eaton won the Peggy Lenny Cup for her vase exhibit.
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Peter Radband scooped the Challenge Cup for receiving the most points.
Ann Blakeman won the Banksian Medal for her runner beans.
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Below are pictures of visitors and winners at the Spring Show 2019
Ann Blakeman, best exhibit in Floral Art
Dick Hawes with his first prize Wind Chimes
Sylvia Hawes, winner of the Chairman's Challenge
Hermione Lewis with Best exhibit in the Domestic section
Terry Miller with Best Vase of Spring Flowers
Bill Faulton who received the highest number of points in classes 1 to 27. He also won the 'Best two Vases' and an Award of Merit for the Best exhibit of Daffodils.
Marise Radband collecting the certificate for Best exhibit in Handicraft on behalf of her husband Peter.
John Kerr who won Best exhibit in Tulip class
2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018
Ian Gillott (left) winner of the 2018 Monthly Table Competition
Money collected during the 2018 'Up the Garden Path' charity event.
Finchampstead Fete 2018
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Stuart Slocombe, best exhibit in Pot Plant
Lynn Potts, although she is holding some of her tulips, she did win the poetry section
Ros & Stuart Slocombe with an Award of Merit for Best exhibit in Daffodils.
Wendy
Richard Steel with his 'Chairman's Challenge' Tulips
Kriss Turner who won an Award of Merit for the Best Floral Arrangement.
Margaret Finch who won Best Exhibit in flowering shrub/tree
2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018
Decorate a garden tool winning entry
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Below are pictures of visitors and winners at the Spring Show 2018
Two of the judges relaxing with the Chairman (centre) after the judging was completed.
Time to discuss the judges decisions.
Get in before the crowds arrive. Great show.
Sylvia Hawes, winner of 'Best Exhibit in Floral Art (Novice)'
Gwen Harvey, highest number of points in classes 1 to 27 and 'Best Vase of Spring Flowers' and 'Best Exhibit of Tulips'.
Alice Fisher, 'Best Exhibit in Flowering Shrubs' and 'Best Floral Arrangement'.
Shirley Brown - who says running the raffle isn't fun.
Peter Radband, 'Best Exhibit in Handicraft class'.
Who says adults can't have as much fun on the Tombola as children?
Having looked at the exhibits, it's time for a drink. 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017
Hermione Lewis, 2017 winner of the Table Top Competition with 242 points.
Ian Gillott (left), 2017 winner of 'Best Average' points in the Table Top competition with 25 points
After 20 years we thought it was time to reorganise our stockade. All went well except someone forgot to bring the chocolate biscuits.
Jean Potter winner of the Howard Cup
'Best Pot Plant' |
Lots of visitors enjoying what turned out to be a brilliant show.
Entries being appreciated by young and old.
Plant sales were very popular.
Camellia, daffodil and photographs - all examined closely by the visitors to the show.
Margaret Finch, 'Award of Merit' for best exhibit of Daffodils.
Vanessa Curtis, 'Best Exhibit in Domestic section'.
Stuart Slocombe, 'Best Exhibit in Photographic'.
Isla Bishop, 'Best Exhibit in Young Exhibitors classes'.
Watch out because the auctioneer, Chairman Dick Hawes says "if you are talking, you are bidding".
It's March 2018 and 85 garden tools are sharpened, over the weekend, ready for 2018. Well done Peter North (left) and Chairman Dick Hawes (right).
2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017
Ann Blakeman, 2017 runner up of the Table Top competition with 223 points
Stuart Slocombe winner of the Award of Merit for both 'Best Tulip' & 'Best Photograph'
Anne Blakeman & Sylvia Hawes
Winners of the XMAS table decoration Dec '17 |
Sylvia Hawes winner of the 'Best Daffodil or Tulip Novice' & The Hawthorne Cup 'Best in the Domestic Section'
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Alison Vacher winner of the Woodthorpe Cup 'Best Novice in Floral Art' & Award of Merit in 'Best Floral Arrangement'
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Terry Miller winner of the Chapman Rose Bowl
'Highest points in classes 1 to 27' |
Delia Roach winner of the Moyle Spring Cup 'Best Pot Plant' & Knighton Cup 'Best in Flowerin Shrub'
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Hermione Lewis winner of the 'Best Handicraft' & Winner of the 'Chairman's Daffodil Challenge'
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Bill Fulton winner of the Spring Challenge Cup
'Best Two Vases' & Award of Merit for best Daff or Narcissi |
Anyone want to buy a raffle ticket?
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Anyone want to have a go on the Tombola?
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Some of the show judges with Dick Hawes (Chairman) on the left and Peter Turner (Show Secretary) on the right
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Peter Jourdan, Treasurer (left) and our Chairman Dick Hawes Tool sharpening March 2017. Over £100 for club funds.
Jean Potter winner of the Monthly
Table Comp. 2016 |
Ann Blakeman, Highest average points
in Table Comp. 2016 |
2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013
Members at the AGM 2013
2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010
2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009
All getting ready for the start of the 2009 XMAS
Beetle Drive |
Jockeys getting ready for the first race of the night.
Looks like one has fallen asleep! |
2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008
Christmas party 2008 where
members enjoyed a horse racing event. There was quite a few members who had a flutter on their favorite. |
Collecting their winnings
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2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004
2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002 2002
2002 Spring & Summer Show
Lynn Potts
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Jean Potter wins 1st prize with her Iris.
Les Waldren always enjoys the local flower shows.
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Emily 9, Sophie 5, Bella 6 and William 3
Dick (Chairman) is working in the back office.
2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001
2001 Spring & Summer Shows
Golden Day: Ena Price with her prize winning arrangement titled 'Midas Touch'.
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Ron Fuller holds the Dahlia Cup
Moya Hawkins who won the Domestic Shield.
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Wally Chapman gained 2nd for his Dahlias
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2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
2000 Spring Show
Margaret Strange (a founder member) being made Hon Vice President at the February 2000 AGM
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Maidie McDougall being made Hon Vice President at the February 2000 AGM
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2000 Summer Show
Sylvia Robinson, Secretary and President's Cup winner, Molly Fulker (1st for Chutney) and Betty Adnams (1st Tomatoes).
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2000 Summer Show
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1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999
1999 Spring Show
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1999 Summer Show
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1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998
1998 Spring Show
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Berkshire Horticultural Show
Henry Street Nursery
1998
Henry Street Nursery
1998
1998 Summer Show
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1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996
1996 Spring & Summer
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1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995
1995 Spring & Summer
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1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994
1994 Spring Show
The Hut Disaster
May 1994
May 1994
So we all had to thing of ways to continue trading the garden supplies our members were used to.
The club chairman has a word with his dog "Now listen carefully. Humans are suckers for a gorgeous well behaved dog. It's a £1 per petting".
Cake sales for a new trading hut.
Once the funds had been raised, the ground had to be prepared.
Will it, won't it, will it, won't it?
Left hand down a bit.
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Plant sales for a new trading hut.
Here are a couple of customers. Don't forget £1 per person for club funds.
A little help with the broom and it's through. Phew.
OK, Now where is the stock and customers?
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July 10th 1994, we entered the 'Member Societies Show' at Burchetts Green. We won the:
Wokingham Horticultural Association Cup
2nd place in the Berrylands Challenge Trophy
2nd place in The McIlroy Cup
3rd place in the Yates Challenge Cup
3rd place in the Federation Challenge Cup
3rd place in the Reading Horticultural Federation Cup
1st place in the quizz.
Wokingham Horticultural Association Cup
2nd place in the Berrylands Challenge Trophy
2nd place in The McIlroy Cup
3rd place in the Yates Challenge Cup
3rd place in the Federation Challenge Cup
3rd place in the Reading Horticultural Federation Cup
1st place in the quizz.
1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993
1993 Spring Show
1993 Summer Show
1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992
1992 Spring Show
1992 Summer Show
1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991
1991 Spring Show
1991 Summer Show
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1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990
1990 Spring Show
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1990 Summer Show
1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989
1989 Spring Show
Don Way - Show Secretary
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1989 Summer Show
1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988
1988 Spring Show
1988 Summer Show
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1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987
1987 Spring Show
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1987 Summer Show
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1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986
1986 Spring Show
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Club's 21st Birthday Celebration
3rd February 1986
3rd February 1986
1986 Summer Show
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1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985
1985 Spring Show
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1985 Summer Show
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1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984
1984 Spring Show
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1984 Summer Show
1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983
1983 Spring Show
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1982 1982 1982 1982 1982 1982 1982 1982 1982 1982 1982 1982 1982 1982 1982 1982 1982
1982 Spring Show
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1982 Summer Show
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1981 1981 1981 1981 1981 1981 1981 1981 1981 1981 1981 1981 1981 1981 1981 1981 1981
1981 Spring Show
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Summer Show 1981
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Christmas Party 1981
1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980
Spring Show 1980
Summer Show 1980
1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979
Summer Show 1979
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1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978
Spring Show 1978
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Summer Show 1978
1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976 1976
1976 Spring Show
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1976 Summer Show
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1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975
1975 Spring Show
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1975 Summer Show
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1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974
Christmas Party 1974
Summer Show below
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Summer Show below
These six happy gardeners are some of the successful competitors at the 1974 Spring Show. They are (from left to right) Jim Dummer, Wally Chapman, Len Ruse, Bill Faulton, Ray Wells and John Walker.
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Seven year old Amanda Chivers of 11 Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, with one of the prize winning flower arrangements.
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1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973
Spring 1973. Mrs Nan Benford, who was awarded the Spring Cup for the best exhibit in the bunched variety class with her magnificent vase of spring and early summer flowers.
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Mr Fred Kennard, pictured here with his wife Constance, was the winner of the Chapman Rose Bowl at the show.
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1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972
Spring show 1972: biggest entry ever with nearly 400 entries the judges at the show had a difficult task.
A good beginning for a novice. Mrs Alice Duncan (centre) shows her prize winning entry for a table centre to admiring friends at the California gardeners club show.
Mr Barrie Lovell-Davis of 169a Nine Mile Ride, Crowthorne, won class 39 with his beautiful display of dahlias.
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Vases of tulips - part of the California Gardeners Club winning entry in the challenge competition, is proudly displayed by the club chairman Ronald Johnson at the club's spring show.
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6 year old David Drewery has obviously been watching the Olympics. Here he tries a spot of weightlifting with one of the prizes.
At the Summer Show 1972 Mr G Marsh of Windsor Ride, Finchampstead, is pictured with one of his winning blooms at California gardeners club summer show.
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At the Summer Show 1972. Justifiably proud, Mrs Nan Benford shows off the Elizabeth Guy cup - the award she won for the best novice flower arrangement.
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1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971
Sweet Pea Show 1971
Mr M Walker won the national sweet pea Society Award of Merit and Medal at the California Gardeners Club Rose and Sweet Pea show. The show, for club members only, held at the California Ratepayers Hall attracted 64 entries with 44 in the Rose class and 21 in the Sweet Pea section. Said the show secretary Mr Wally Chapman, “although this is not one of our major shows it went very well and there was a very high standard and this was in spite of the time of year and the weather we have been having and considering that the first flush of roses is over”.
Mr M Walker won the national sweet pea Society Award of Merit and Medal at the California Gardeners Club Rose and Sweet Pea show. The show, for club members only, held at the California Ratepayers Hall attracted 64 entries with 44 in the Rose class and 21 in the Sweet Pea section. Said the show secretary Mr Wally Chapman, “although this is not one of our major shows it went very well and there was a very high standard and this was in spite of the time of year and the weather we have been having and considering that the first flush of roses is over”.
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Summer 1971
Glorious weather drew over 250 people to the California gardeners club in the summer show in 1971. The show secretary Mr Wally Chapman said he was very pleased and although the number of entries 400, was a little lower than last year the standard was very high.
Glorious weather drew over 250 people to the California gardeners club in the summer show in 1971. The show secretary Mr Wally Chapman said he was very pleased and although the number of entries 400, was a little lower than last year the standard was very high.
Club chairman Mr Barrie Lovell-Davis and judges Mr Percy Chandler and Mr Les Cornish inspect the roses.
Mrs Ethel Howard, who exhibits with her husband, won with prizewinning cabbages, carrots, onions, potatoes, shallots, beans, beetroot, collections of vegetables and flowers. They took the Challenge Cup and an Award of Merit.
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Show secretary Wally Chapman with Mr Bernard Hand and the Gardening Club secretary Miss Ivy Barrett.
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1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970
The number and quality of entries in the California Gardeners Club show we're better than ever before, said show secretary Mr W G Chapman. There were over 300 exhibits in the California Ratepayers Hall, 100 up on last years’ spring show.
“It was one of the best shows that I have ever seen”, said Mr Chapman. We did not expect anything like 310 entries we were very pleased. Not only is the quantity increasing but also the quality of the exhibits.
Mr C L Cornish of Crowthorne, who judged the flower section, said of the colourful display “I think it is one of the best local shows in the district”.
“It was one of the best shows that I have ever seen”, said Mr Chapman. We did not expect anything like 310 entries we were very pleased. Not only is the quantity increasing but also the quality of the exhibits.
Mr C L Cornish of Crowthorne, who judged the flower section, said of the colourful display “I think it is one of the best local shows in the district”.
1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969 1969
There were 350 entries for Saturday’s Spring Show of California Gardeners’ Club, held in the Ratepayers Hall, Finchampstead Rd.
The hall was crammed with people and stalls and sideshow games did a brisk trade.
Wally Chapman, show secretary, said the entries were 40 up on last year. I think the large support is partly because we call ourselves a ‘gardening club’ and not a ‘horticultural association’, he said. Some people are put off by the professional sound of horticultural.
To broaden the interest of the show, a handicraft section was introduced for the first time, and it attracted 44 entries.
The hall was crammed with people and stalls and sideshow games did a brisk trade.
Wally Chapman, show secretary, said the entries were 40 up on last year. I think the large support is partly because we call ourselves a ‘gardening club’ and not a ‘horticultural association’, he said. Some people are put off by the professional sound of horticultural.
To broaden the interest of the show, a handicraft section was introduced for the first time, and it attracted 44 entries.
1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968
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"A JOLLY good Summer Show." This was the verdict of all who visited California Gardeners' Club Spring Show on Saturday. The Ratepayers Hall was crowded with people and gay with 205 entries - an increase on last year's number - reflecting the growing interest in the activities of the club.
In the children's classes, the section for 'tea cakes' was won by three boys out of a total entry of 13 boys and girls.
In the children's classes, the section for 'tea cakes' was won by three boys out of a total entry of 13 boys and girls.